Gabriela Lena Frank, the Grammy-award-winning composer-in-residence with the Philadelphia Orchestra, will discuss her hearing loss and how it has affected her development and professional success as a composer. In addition, she will offer her thoughts about how the changes in Beethoven’s compositions may have reflected the progression of his hearing loss. Born in Berkeley, California, to a mother of mixed Peruvian/Chinese ancestry and a father of Lithuanian/Jewish descent, Gabriela explores her multicultural heritage through her compositions. Gabriela was included in the Washington Post's list of the 35 most significant women composers in history.